PETALING JAYA: Organisers of programmes attended by former premiers Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Melaka were fined for failing to ensure physical distancing among the participants.

       The Health Ministry said Melaka Perikatan Nasional and another individual have been issued compound notices of RM20,000 and RM4,000 respectively, for organising the events attended by Najib and Muhyiddin.

       “Investigations by the state Health Department found that there was no gathering or social event related to the Melaka state election held with the involvement of two as the recent programmes involving them in Melaka were more of a walkabout.

       “However, based on enforcers’ surveillance, a RM20,000 compound notice was issued to Melaka Perikatan and RM4,000 to an individual who organised Najib’s event.

       “Both compound notices were issued to the organisers for failing to ensure social distancing among the people who attended,” it said in a statement yesterday.

       The ministry noted that it will continue cooperation with the police to monitor and ensure compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) throughout the state election period.

       “We will not hesitate to issue compound notices to any individual or organisation running afoul of the SOP.

       “We call on everyone to adhere to the SOP and play their roles responsibly in fighting Covid-19 in Malaysia,” it added.

       On Oct 24, the ministry issued a ban on all physical gatherings and social events related to the Melaka state election from Oct 25 to Nov 27.

       Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the ban was made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), which states that there should not be any mass gatherings of people under any phase of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       Khairy said any individual, organiser or organisation can be subject to compounds or prosecution in court if they were found guilty of committing offences under Act 342.

       On Saturday (Oct 30), Najib was seen attending events in Melaka. However, he said he was only a visitor and was not conducting any political event.

       Muhyiddin, who is Perikatan chairman, was also in Melaka the same day and visited several stalls selling affordable staple goods.

       He was seen wearing a Perikatan shirt.

       Previously, Melaka PKR was issued a compound notice for RM10,000 for setting up a mobile stage in a residential area to speak to residents so that they did not have to come out of their houses.

       Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) was also penalised to the tune of RM4,000 for holding a brief press conference at the Stadthuys that led to the participation of many and failure to observe physical distancing.